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[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Iraq
Taiwan Church News 2668, April 20, 2003
Reported by Ku Hao-jan and Li Yi-shin. Translated and rewritten
by David Alexander

   Though the end of major warfare in Iraq presents a ray of
hope, the
processes of relief and reconstruction are not going to be easy.
Taiwan's
Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently invited several Christian
agencies: The
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT), the Taiwan Catholic Mission
Foundation, the Eden Social Welfare Foundation and World
Vision/Taiwan; along with 12 other NGO's to coordinate its "Love
from
Taiwan / United Aid To Iraq" action.  The plan is to involve the
people of
this nation (not just the government) in the provision of pure
water, milk
powder, salt, sugar and other staples to alleviate shortages in
war torn
areas.	Chang Hwa Christian Hospital, a PCT agency, made the
first
monetary donation, 30 million Taiwan Yuan (810,810 Euros) to get
the ball
rolling.
   According to reports from World Vision staff in Iraq, since
sandstorms
began on April 8th the need for medical and nutritional supplies
in refugee
camps has risen dramatically.  Currently there is not enough food
in the
camps to adequately supply the needs of the residents.
   Foreign Ministry, wishing to participate in international
humanitarian aid,
has invited NGO's into its effort.  The PCT as represented by
Vice
Moderator Rev. Carl Y.C. Chen.
   Mr. Chen said that the church operates from a basis of loving
life and
sharing in suffering.  He encourages all churches to pray for the
suffering
people of Iraq and to devote at least a month to fundraising for
the relief
and reconstruction project.  Regarding the PCT's participation in
amassing
the resources listed by the Foreign Ministry, he emphasized that
prayer and
support know neither season nor limitation. He pledged future
cooperation
in both material and spiritual aspects of the work.

For more information:
       PCT Church and Society Committee cs@ms2.pct.org.tw
       Chang Hwa Christian Hospital  www.cch.org.tw
       World Vision/Taiwan   www.worldvision.org.tw
       Taiwan Catholic Mission Foundation FAX +886 2 25793408
       Carl Y. C. Chen FAX +886 2 27093032

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